Connect your WhatsApp Business account

Updatly runs on your own WhatsApp Business number. This takes you from nothing to a live connection — four steps, about fifteen minutes, all done in a browser.

15 min start to finish 4 steps all in a browser 0 apps to install

Download the PDF Jump to the steps

Watch the 3-minute walkthrough

Read this first — you need a brand-new number Updatly can't yet connect a number that's already registered on WhatsApp Business, so you'll need a brand-new number to get started. Get a new SIM before you begin — an eSIM is easiest, and most recent phones hold a second SIM alongside your normal one. Existing-number support is coming in a later release, and you'll be able to add yours alongside this one rather than swapping anything out.

What you'll need

Five minutes of prep saves twenty. Half of all setup problems are one of these missing.

A brand-new number that isn't already set up as a WhatsApp Business account — a fresh SIM or eSIM. Pay-as-you-go is fine.
The phone holding it, able to receive one text. That's its only job — nothing gets installed.
A laptop or desktop. The whole setup is done in a browser.
A Facebook login — Meta's key to its business tools. Nothing gets posted and your customers never see it.
Your business details: trading name, business address, business email, website.
Your Updatly login. No account yet? Email support@updatly.ai and we'll set it up.

The four steps

Each step below is the short version. The PDF has every screen; the video shows it end to end.

Where: laptop browserTime: 2 minGo to: business.facebook.com

WhatsApp is owned by Meta, so your business number sits inside a Meta account before anything can connect to it.

Open business.facebook.com.
Already have a Facebook account? Click Log in with Facebook and sign in.
No account? Click Create new account, complete the form, and enter the confirmation code.

Use an account you'll keepWhoever's Facebook login you use becomes the administrator. Use the owner's or a long-term manager's — not an employee who may leave. You can add other admins later.

Create your Business Portfolio

Where: Meta Business SuiteTime: 3 min

A Business Portfolio (Meta sometimes still calls it Business Manager) is the container that owns your number, permissions and billing. You only ever need one.

When prompted, choose Create a business portfolio (or Settings → Business portfolios → Create).
Enter your business name (no special characters), your name, and a business email you'll keep.
Click Submit.
Open the confirmation email Meta sends and click the link — until you do, you don't have full access.

Don't skip the confirmation emailClicking "Done" closes the box but doesn't confirm anything. You must open the email and click the link, or step 3 will be blocked. Check spam if it hasn't arrived in a couple of minutes.

Add your WhatsApp number & verify it

Where: Meta Business SettingsTime: 6 minYou'll need: your new number

In Business Settings, go to Accounts → WhatsApp accounts, click Add → Create a WhatsApp Business account (not "Link").
In WhatsApp Manager, under Phone numbers, click Add phone number. Set your display name, time zone and category, then Next.
Enter your brand-new number with country code, choose Text message, and enter the 6-digit code it sends.
Your number now appears in WhatsApp Manager.

Choose the display name carefullyMeta reviews it — usually minutes, occasionally a day or two. Use your exact trading name: no ALL-CAPS, no emoji, no web address, nothing generic like "Roofing". You don't have to wait — carry on while it's checked.

Add a payment methodMeta bills for WhatsApp conversations separately from your Updatly subscription. Add a card under Billing & payments now, or messages stop once the free allowance runs out.

Connect it inside Updatly

Where: updatly.aiTime: 3 minFirst: allow pop-ups

Updatly walks you through a five-part wizard: name the connection, sign in to Facebook, then pick the business, the app and the number.

In Updatly, open Integrations → WhatsApp Business → Add.
Name the connection (any label — it's only used inside Updatly).
Click Connect with Facebook. In the pop-up, choose Opt in to current business only, tick your business, then tick the WhatsApp account to use.
Pick the business account, the business app and the WhatsApp phone — each dropdown filters the next.
Review and click Connect Meta Account.

Nothing happens on "Connect with Facebook"?Your browser blocked the pop-up. Allow pop-ups for updatly.ai and click again.

What you're actually grantingPermission for Updatly to send and receive messages on that number and manage its templates. It doesn't get your personal Facebook profile, friends list or personal WhatsApp chats — and you can revoke it any time in Meta Business Settings.

You're connected

ConnectedSubscribed

Under Integrations → WhatsApp Business, your number shows Connected and Subscribed — both pills green. That's the whole job done. From here we subscribe your team, agree your check-in times, and switch on the flows that suit how you work. Your crews install nothing and learn nothing new.

Next: your first check-in. Open Updatly →

Troubleshooting

Nearly every setup problem is one of these.

What you're seeing	What to do
"Can't use your existing WhatsApp Business number"	Correct — Updatly only supports brand-new numbers today. Use a fresh SIM or eSIM.
"This number is already registered"	The number's already a WhatsApp Business account. Use a fresh SIM rather than deregistering one you rely on.
Can't create the Business Portfolio	The confirmation email hasn't been clicked. Open Meta's email, click the link, then reload Business Settings.
The text code never arrives	Check the country code and signal, wait for the timer, then request a new code — or choose Phone call.
Your display name was rejected	Too generic, ALL-CAPS, has an emoji/URL, or doesn't match your website. Resubmit your exact trading name in normal case.
Nothing happens on "Connect with Facebook"	The browser blocked the pop-up. Allow pop-ups for updatly.ai and click again.
The Business account dropdown is empty	No business was ticked on the Meta permission screen. Run Connect with Facebook again and select at least one business and one WhatsApp account.
Shows Connected but not Subscribed	Refresh the WhatsApp Business page. Still not subscribed after a minute? Email support.
Connected, but messages don't send	No payment method on the Meta account. Add a card under Billing & payments in Meta Business Settings.

Stuck? Don't battle it

You're one of our first customers. If any part took longer than it should have, tell us — it's a fault in the guide, not in you.

Email support

support@updatly.ai — include your business name, the number you're connecting, and a screenshot of where you're stuck. We can usually fix it without a call.

Prefer paper?

Download the step-by-step PDF — every screen, ready to print and tick through as you go.

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